The former Surrey policeman sold details of Chelsea footballer John Terry's mother being cautioned for shoplifting and Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood being cautioned for assault on his then-girlfriend Ekaterina Ivanova.

Mr Justice Fulford told Tierney that "all options remain open" when he is sentenced on March 27. He was bailed until that time.

Tierney had been charged as part of the ongoing Operation Elveden investigation into inappropriate payments to police and other officials.

Elveden was set up after Operation Weeting, which was established to investigate phone hacking.

Ex-prison worker Richard Trunkfield, 31, also pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office, as did another ex-policeman.

Trunkfield was paid £3,350 to leak information in 2010 about a high-profile prisoner of HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, when he worked there as operational support officer.

He will be sentenced at a later date.

Another public official also pleased guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.